Waiting to get Thumper back

[Just Trouble]

Four months ago I regretfully purchased a 1982 Yamaha XT550. I say regretfully as I only got to ride it for a short while before it was evident that the engine had serious/terminal problems. In short it was knackered. After breaking down I managed to push it the final mile home then on to the repair garage where they called me in to break the bad news. The bore was not round and scored, the piston and rings were shot, timing chain shot, head shot, camshaft shot, valves shot. A complete top end rebuild was the only solution. The pot has been re-bored smooth and round and matched with an oversized piston. I sought the necessary parts (rocking horse do do's spring to mind) on the internet with parts extremely scarce I did manage to locate all new and in their original 1982 packaging/boxes over several months from all over the world. Managed to acquire a brand new oil pump too. The engine has been rebuilt and I am expecting the bike to be ready in the next seven days or so. An expensive lesson learnt but it is going to be one fantastic ride when finished!

Edited by Just Trouble on Thursday 1st August 13:03

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[yellowstreak]

I sympathise having suffered a similar fate with a CB750. At least you will know the engine is perfect now.

It looks great in yellow and black, super clean!

[Just Trouble]

yellowstreak said:

I sympathise having suffered a similar fate with a CB750. At least you will know the engine is perfect now.

It looks great in yellow and black, super clean!

Cheers Yellowstreak. Hopefully many happy riding miles to come. Not cheap to keep these older bikes going are they. Like you say with your CB750 you know it’s been rebuilt properly

[anonymous-user]

Very nice ! My Sister used to have an XT500 years ago. It was a source of great amusement as she could start it pretty much first kick every time, whereas seasoned bikers struggled to get it going at all Always remember her wheelie-ing it with one of our mates on the back. He never got on a bike with her again

[Just Trouble]

Graham you’re right there is a knack to starting them. XT’s spend a lot of time on the rear wheel

[Krikkit]

That looks brilliant, shame it went bang in the first place!

[Just Trouble]

Krikkit said:

That looks brilliant, shame it went bang in the first place!

The few miles that I did get to ride it was such a hoon, oh and it sounds the dogs do da’s too

[bimsb6]

Rare bike as a one year only model but I expect you know that !

[Just Trouble]

bimsb6 said:

Rare bike as a one year only model but I expect you know that !

bimsb6 I didn’t know how rare until I tried to source the parts. Can still be found but take a lot of looking. However this one should be good for a few more years

[OldGermanHeaps]

Wow thats lovely. I had one back in 98 and even then bits were hard and expensive to come by. Fantastic machines to ride though, yes you could literally wheelie the thing the full length of a big field without having to concentrate too hard it was just its natural state.
the carb was an oddity iirc, twin carbs on a single but they shared a float bowl.

Edited by OldGermanHeaps on Thursday 1st August 20:16

[mygoldfishbowl]

Very nice, what year is it? I have an 84 600 in red and white and find I can get most parts from CMSL.



Edited to show obligatory pic.

Edited by mygoldfishbowl on Friday 2nd August 06:01

[Just Trouble]

mygoldfishbowl said:

Very nice, what year is it? I have an 84 600 in red and white and find I can get most parts from CMSL.



Edited to show obligatory pic.

Edited by mygoldfishbowl on Friday 2nd August 06:01

That is a lovely 600. Mine is an 82. I have used CMSL and they are pretty good but a lot of parts are obviously out of stock (pistons) and are not likely to be available. The Americans have a lot of spares but 95% is second hand/used so bit of a gamble but fine as a last resort.

[Just Trouble]

OldGermanHeaps said:

Wow thats lovely. I had one back in 98 and even then bits were hard and expensive to come by. Fantastic machines to ride though, yes you could literally wheelie the thing the full length of a big field without having to concentrate too hard it was just its natural state.
the carb was an oddity iirc, twin carbs on a single but they shared a float bowl.

Edited by OldGermanHeaps on Thursday 1st August 20:16

Looking forward to pulling some epic wheelies Sometimes forget how old these machines are now, but still a hoon to ride

[mygoldfishbowl]

Any news?

[JahGull]

Lovely bike, well done on getting it sorted